title: Six-months outcomes of a randomised trial of supportive text messaging for depression and comorbid alcohol use disorder.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We have previously reported that supportive text messages delivered twice daily for three months have the potential to provide personalised support for patients with depression and co-morbid Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). In this study we report the six months outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants (n=54) with a DSM IV diagnosis of unipolar depression and AUD who completed an in-patient dual diagnosis treatment programme were randomised to receive daily twice supportive text messages (n=26) or a fortnightly thank you text message (n=28) for three months. Primary outcome measures at six months were Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI-II) scores and Cumulative Abstinence Duration (CAD).
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  NCT0137868.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Unlike at three months, there was no statistically significant difference in six months BDI-II scores between the intervention (n=24) and control (n=24) groups; 13.28 (SD=8.7) vs. 15.08 (SD=11.37) respectively after adjusting for the baseline scores, F (1, 45)=0.192, p=0.66. There was also no significant difference in CAD between the text message group and the control group: 84.14 days (9.20) vs. 74.73 days (28.97), t=1.422, df=41, p=0.16. However, patients in the intervention group had significantly higher days to first drink compared to those in the control group: 119.9 (47.7) vs. 62.4 (44.9), t=2.99, df=22, p=0.01.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Limitations of the study include the small sample size and the potential for loss of rater blinding.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The effects of supportive text message intervention were not sustained beyond the period that the patients were receiving the intervention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Trinity College Dublin, St. Patrick's University Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland. israelhans@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Vincent I O
authors.initials: VI
authors.lastname: Agyapong
authors.forename: Declan M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: McLoughlin
authors.forename: Conor K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Farren
mesh_terms: D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D060145:Text Messaging; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Alcohol Use Disorder; Depression; Randomised trial; Six months follow-up; Text messages